Consolidation
Big Interview: Jane Kielty, Aon UK and Ireland
Aon UK and Ireland’s CEO, Jane Kielty sits down with Scott McGee to talk through her first year in the job, and why 2025 will be the year of high performance for the broker.
Re-emergence of Southampton: where insurance first docked
While the story of insurance is often traced back to old coffee houses in London in the 16th century, Scott McGee discovers insurance had a place in the UK hundreds of years before that as he explores the re-emergence of its original hub in the UK:…
Big Interview: Clarissa Franks, Lockton
Clarissa Franks, head of UK retail for Lockton, speaks to Scott McGee about her first year at the broker, the joy of not being “tied up in numbers and margin”, and shares how her team is “doubling down” to achieve growth.
Big interview: Michael Rea, Gallagher UK
Having taken on the Gallagher UK CEO role at the start of the year, Micheal Rea talks to Jonathan Swift about breaking the £1bn revenue barrier, the benefits of scale, putting M&A on hold and why the market is in transition in terms of rates.
Six reasons Ageas could be the perfect insurance ‘partner’ for Saga
Content Director’s View: As Saga admits it is in talks with Ageas, Jonathan Swift suggests there is a lot to like about a potential ‘partnership’ between the two, not least as a spring board for further deals.
Q&A: John Dunn, Brokerbility
After more than 18 months into his role as MD of Brokerbility, John Dunn catches up with Insurance Post to discuss bring clarity to the networks, refreshing tired shcemes, and how he hopes to help partners and members "outperform the market"
Aviva targeting ultra-HNW growth following acquisitions
After completing the integration of the Azur and Axa XL private clients’ business, Aviva’s managing director for high net worth Ann Owen has said the insurer is looking to grow, but not “at any cost”.
Q&A: Theo Duchen, Acturis
Theo Duchen, co-CEO and co-founder of Acturis, discusses Astorg’s increased stake in the company, how best to implement artificial intelligence, and why he thinks his business is well placed to take on rivals in the US and Canada.
Big Interview: Warren Dickson, Howden
Warren Dickson, corporate and commercial CEO at Howden, sits down with Harry Curtis to discuss what has changed since the broker acquired Aston Lark and how its breadth of capabilities is paying dividends.
Jensten’s Hardie on the need for Nike-like entrepreneurs
View from the Top: Alistair Hardie, CEO of Jensten Group, looks at the challenges facing entrepreneurs in the insurance sector.
Broker earnings boosted by 11.3% in 2023
The value of the worldwide market for insurance broking in terms of fees and commissions earned was around $168bn (£132bn) in 2023, up from about $151bn in 2022 on a constant currency basis, according to research by Insuramore.
Clear’s latest deal; JMG surpasses £300m GWP; Kane named Allianz ambassador
Friday Round-Up: Insurance Post wraps up the major insurance deals, launches, investments and strategic moves of the week.
Big Interview: Alistair Hardie, Jensten Group
Alistair Hardie, CEO of Jensten Group, updates Scott McGee on the broker’s anticipated sale, its “radical overhaul”, and where it may shift its M&A focus to in the future.
Hardie sees Jensten ‘doubling again’ in next few years
Alistair Hardie, group CEO at Jensten, has said he expects to complete “about 10” acquisitions in 2024, and that he believes the broker can “double the size again” in three or fours years’ time.
Quote speed and data accessibility at top of brokers’ wish list
Aviva's broker barometer has put access to data and insight, and speed of quotes at the top of broker wish lists as insurer service continues to be a top challenge.
Could the CMA fire the starting gun to unlock M&A in 2024?
News Editor's view: With increased M&A activity predicted for 2024, news editor Scott McGee asks: Is the industry waiting with bated breath to find out the outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into the Markerstudy/Atlanta deal?
Why Ageas buying Direct Line makes sense now
Having been talked about as a takeover target itself in recent years, content director Jonathan Swift observes Ageas’ move for Direct Line marks a change in fortunes for the Belgian insurance group and makes perfect sense in terms of fit and timing.
Q&A: Stuart Kilpatrick, Burns & Wilcox
Stuart Kilpatrick, managing director of Burns & Wilcox UK, tells Insurance Post about the post-Biba conference pivot the business has undertaken, plans to create a specialist business in the UK, and how it "doesn't matter” where his staff work.
Big Interview: Chubb’s Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts, division president for UK, Ireland and South Africa at Chubb, tells Jonathan Swift he is looking to create wider and deeper relationships with UK brokers plus what factors will help differentiate his insurer from the congested run-of-the…
Is Biba right to worry about personal lines broking?
News Editor’s View: After the British Insurance Brokers' Association asked personal lines insurers to commit to the broking channel, Scott McGee looks at what has got brokers spooked, and what action needs to happen in order for a fruitful future.
Who is going to snap up insurance brokers in 2024
Age Lindenbergh, leader of the European Alvarez and Marsal’s Transaction Advisory Group, on why consolidation in the UK insurance brokerage market shows no signs of slowing down and where in the world cash is coming from to buy businesses.